Howdy, TTC brings you analysis for the WTC final b/w Aus & RSA. Super excited for the ultimate test at Lord’s.

Proteas Squad for WTC final

Bavuma leads a South African squad built on continuity, not desperation. Rabada returns after his one-month ban to spearhead a six-man pace arsenal against Australia.

Ngidi earns recall despite limited red-ball cricket. Paterson retains his spot after solid home performances. Injury sidelines Coetzee, Nortje and Burger. Teen sensation Maphaka waits for his turn.

The batting core remains untouched. Markram partners either de Zorzi or Rickelton up top. Stubbs at three remains flexible pending warm-up form. Bavuma, now fit, anchors at four.

Bedingham remains in contention despite April inactivity. Verreynne, already scoring in county cricket, takes the gloves.

South Africa's playbook? Stick with what works. Trust the process of 18 months of test cricket reconstruction.

Squad: Bavuma (capt), Bedingham, Bosch, de Zorzi, Jansen, Maharaj, Markram, Mulder, Muthusamy, Ngidi, Paterson, Rabada, Rickelton, Stubbs, Verreynne.

Australia's squad for the WTC final

Australia's squad looks settled. Their XI doesn't.

The opening riddle persists. Khawaja needs a partner. Konstas could return. Labuschagne might elevate. Inglis remains a wildcard option.

Green returns as a batting specialist only. That creates a domino effect. Someone sits if he plays. The fifth bowling option vanishes unless they pick Beau Webster as their all-rounder.

Hazlewood carries shoulder concerns. Cummins and Starc missed recent Tests. All three are expected back, but uncertainty lingers.

The final team remains fluid. IPL commitments complicate preparations. Selectors maintain flexibility.

Australia backs their core group. But form, fitness and role clarity will determine who walks onto the Lord's.

Squad: Cummins (capt), Boland, Carey, Green, Hazlewood, Head, Inglis, Khawaja, Konstas, Kuhnemann, Labuschagne, Lyon, Smith, Starc, Webster.

Travelling reserve: Doggett.

Data Analysis

Australia Have the Edge — Here's Why

Australia owns this stage. They've dominated here and won here. Conquered these conditions time and again.

The numbers don't lie. Their top order has weathered English seamers before. Their bowlers know exactly how much to put on the ball when clouds gather overhead.

South Africa? Still shuffling lineups. Still searching for answers. Australia brings battle-tested weapons. South Africa brings potential.

When margins shrink, when pressure mounts, Australia knows the script. Been there. Done that, got the trophy to prove it.

Smith towers over English soil. His numbers here? Pure Bradman territory.

Khawaja, Labuschagne and Head would provide the perfect foil to Smithy. South Africa needs to be wary of the Head counter-punch. He had done it before against Indian in the WTC23 final.

Carey and Green remain wild cards. Potential game-changers. Beau Webster is toiling hard playing county cricket here in England. He’ll be ready if he features in the XI.

The difference-maker? Experience. Australia's top six brings 70+ innings of English conditions to this contest.

At Lord's, that battle-hardened knowledge pays dividends when skies darken and the ball starts hooping.

South Africa’s Batting: Grit, but Gaps

SA’s top 6 is a mixed bag of raw potential and patchy records.

None of these players averages even 35 in England.
And against Australia’s attack? Most have never faced them in a Test.

Temba Bevuma and Aiden Markram need to step up big time. Markram’s been in good form in the IPL and has bolstered a stellar record against Aussies.

Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs bring explosive potential to the inexperienced and shaky Proteas batting order. They face a gauntlet of Australian bowlers who've seen it all. Cummins. Starc. Hazlewood. Men who've broken better batsmen.

I do have high hopes for Crisis Man Kyle Verreynne. 4 hundreds this decade, most by any South African batter. He has played some great innings in the past to rescue South Africa from the face of defeat.

If South Africa harbours upset hopes, these youngsters must ignite. No time for learning curves. No room for nerves.

The moment demands fearlessness. The scoreboard demands runs.

Bowling mismatch

Rabada: South Africa’s Warhead

• Avg in England: 26.06

• Avg vs Australia: 23.08

• 3 five-fors, 1 ten-for vs AUS

He’s elite. But needs support from other bowlers.

Australia’s Bowling Unit: Battle-Hardened, Balanced

All average under 30 in England.
All have taken 30+ wickets vs SA.

For South Africa? Outside Rabada, the help drops off steeply.

Final word: Australia are favourites no cap.

Batting: More proven in these conditions
Bowling: More depth, variety, and experience
Matchups: South Africa are still testing combinations. Australia have battle tested blueprints.

South Africa brings hope. Australia brings blueprints.

That's the difference. That's the story.

Please let me know your opinion and predictions for the WTC final.

Ciao